“I don’t have a home,” he mumbled, ripping another sugar packet and dumping it into his coffee. “And I’m dangerous.”

“You don’t have your ability anymore,” I pointed out.

I watched Damien fold the now-empty sugar packet over and over and over again until he had a tiny little square. It reminded me of Emily, and my heart hurt.

“I had this argument with my dad a few months ago,” I started, “about how I can’t be expected to do the same as Aaron when he has total, perfect control over his ability. Perfect, perfect Aaron.” Damien just kept folding.

“But that’s totally unfair,” I went on when Damien didn’t immediately join the Aaron-pile-on, “and I mean, my dad should get that. He has Alzheimer’s and it would be totally unfair to expect him to remember that we asked him to take out the garbage or whatever. I shouldn’t be expected to sleep like a normal person. I shouldn’t be expected to stop something that’s just … in my nature.”

“I don’t think it’s really the same,” he said.

“Oh, suddenly you’re the expert on this stuff?”

“I’ve been trying to learn,” he said. “I’ve done a hell of a lot more therapy than you, that’s for damn sure.”

“So you’re telling me that we’re just … always responsible for what our abilities do to us?”

“What’s going on with you?” he asked, his eyes narrowing at me. “You’re acting … odd.”

“What do you mean?” I snapped, probably proving his point.

“Come on.” He stared at me in a way that made me think he’d be using his ability on me if he still had it. “I know we’re not the best of friends, but I can tell that you’re pissed about something. And it’s not me leaving town.”

I sighed, leaning back in the booth like putting physical distance between us would stop the questions. But he just kept staring.

“I told Emily,” I said and he looked actually surprised. “And it went … bad.”

“She was pissed that you’d been in her dreams, huh?” he said, and that immediately set me off.

“Yes!” I yelped. “How did you—”

“I’ve been around the block, remember?” he said. “I know what it’s like to have someone hate you because of what you do with your ability.”

My body relaxed slightly at that because I realized that this wasn’t going to be the conversation I had with Aaron all over again. My brother was somehow under the impression that he was perfect and had never had a conflicted feeling about his ability. But Damien understood. He understood having that monster inside of you, and I didn’t think he’d judge me for it.

I was wrong about that.